Planning and Policy Officer

Based at: Applicants preference. Remote, office based or hybrid working is possible with the

attendance of meetings and workshops at Tyland Barn (or other KWT site as required).

Globally and nationally wildlife is in steep decline. We appear to be reaching critical tipping points around the loss of biodiversity as well as around climate change, both being interlinked. Human society cannot prosper without wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

Kent’s wildlife needs to be restored to much higher levels. We can no longer allow common things to become rare. We can only do this by restoring large-scale habitat from degraded land. Doing this will contribute to solving global problems. But we won’t be able to do this unless we publicly aspire to a higher level of impact and show that we can deliver this.

Do you have a keen interest in and knowledge of the planning system? Do you care deeply about wildlife and the natural environment and want to make a difference at both a local, county and a national scale?

Development is one of the biggest threats to wildlife across Kent, however increased and improved infrastructure and housing is identified as being essential for economic and social growth. Kent experiences significant development pressure with substantial areas of brownfield, rural land and natural green space being allocated for development as strategic sites in Local Plans, as windfall sites and as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

Whilst development can prove devastating for wildlife, it can also bring opportunities to improve the situation for wildlife across Kent. We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic Officer to join the fast-paced Planning and Policy team.  We need your skills, experience and fresh outlook to help to define the way that we engage with planning authorities, developers and community groups to meet our Wilder Kent Vision.

A key aspect of this role will be driving forward a process of streamlining our approach to dealing with planning consultations and enquiries. By working with colleagues and external partners, you will create guidance which allow us to increase our reach, creating a network of members who feel empowered to give nature a voice through the planning system. This will allow the team to focus on and respond to consultations on the most damaging applications across Kent, providing technical advice to developers and planning authorities.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of tackling the greatest development threats to biodiversity, not only in Kent but nationally.  As well influencing local planning policies, you will be influencing Local Development Plans, Green Infrastructure Strategies, the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and the implementation of biodiversity net gain, and Kent Wildlife Trust plays a key role in the Kent Nature Partnership.

This post would suit an individual with a good understanding & demonstrable experience of working to protect the environment through the planning system, both at a strategic policy level and through individual planning applications. You will have a sound understanding of UK natural history, ecology and nature conservation as well as current policy relating to the natural environment.  Key to this role will therefore be your experience of working with and engaging a range of stakeholders, including community groups, private companies and local government.

Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife charity for Kent and Medway, supported by its members and staffed by committed professionals. Join our team and help us create a Wilder Kent! In return we will inspire you, listen to you, value you, treat you equally and fairly, look after your health and wellbeing and encourage flexibility from day one, enabling you to draw on these benefits to be a better, happier and more productive you.

Contact details:

For an application pack and to apply, visit our website at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs

For an informal chat about this role please contact the Planning and Policy Manager (Nicky.Britton-Williams@kentwildlife.org.uk)

The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better.??It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves  and flourish, just like nature!